My son and his robotics team win BIG

My son, now a high-school sophomore, has a lengthy history of one-upping the old man.

When I was his age, I listened to John Williams’ “Star Wars” soundtracks but could not play them. I was terrible at music lessons and never really mastered a musical instrument.

My son, also a nerd, does not just listen to the Imperial March from “The Empire Strikes Back” but effortlessly belts it out – among others, like “Fiddler on the Roof” – on a violin.

When I was young, I devoured science-fiction novels featuring robots. My son? He builds robots.

In fact, my son and his fellow robot builders at Central High School have pulled off quite a feat: Their MinuteBots team placed second in a regional competition at the University of Minnesota, which qualifies them for an upcoming national competition in St. Louis.

Now, since the MinuteBots blew their budget on their champion robot, they’re crowdfunding the trip. Look for the GoFundMe widget on the upper-right corner of this site, or read on for more information — plus video and audio.

The robotics team’s feat is kind of a big deal because Central is an inner-city school with limited resources. The MinuteBots are a relatively new crew, too.

“This is extraordinary because this year was just the second year that the team existed,” Kathy Kittel, St. Paul Public Schools career and technical education program manager, is quoted as saying in a press release. “Last year’s robot barely had a working drive train.”

Here, in a video shot and edited by a MinuteBots team member, is what these robotics competitions are like.

I watched the MinuteBots in action last Saturday, and thought they were (insert Darth Vader voice here) impressive … most impressive. Their robot isn’t all that flashy compared to some of the more-elaborate ones I saw at the event, but appearances can be deceiving.

Robots at the tournament had to manipulate an exercise ball, pass it to other robots, and get it through a low goal or a high goal. The low-to-the-ground, scuttling MinuteBots robot performed like a champ. I recorded one MinuteBots routine (it’s not the best one, my wife assures me):